Dry cleaning machine



DRY CLEANING MACHINE Filed March 10, 1932 2 Sheets-Sheet l a mfimm .31 UcmdemeerUoor/zeas INVENTORS 4 V BMKT ATTORNEY 1935. E. E. FOLLIN El AL DRY CLEANING'MACHINE Filed March 10, 1952 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Patented Feb. 12, 1935 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE DRY CLEANING MACHINE Indiana Application March 10, 1932, Serial No. 597,882

5 Claims.

This invention has to do with a dry cleaning machine adapted to serve also as a shipping case for dry cleaning fluidf One object of our invention is to provide a simple and inexpensive rotary cleaning machine in which small objects and more particularly garments can be cleaned by tumbling them in the presence of a cleaning fluid. Another object of our invention is to provide a small dry cleaning machine for home use which is adapted to serve also as a shipping container for dry cleaning fluid. More particularly our invention has as an object to provide a can and crate so designed as to be available both as a shipping container for dry cleaning fluid and as a small dry cleaning machine. Further objects of our invention will become apparent as the description thereof proceeds.

With reference to the accompanying drawings which portray a preferred embodiment of our invention:

Figure 1 is a side view of the machine in condition for shipping;

Figure 2 is an end view, partly in section, corresponding to Figure 1;

Figure 3 is an end view of the machine in operating position;

Figure 4 is a side view corresponding to Figure 3;

Figure 5 is a view of the inside of the cover'of the machine;

Figure 6 is an end view of the container;

Figure 7 is a sectional elevation corresponding to Figure 6;

Figure 8 is a top view of the container shown in Figures 6 and 7;

Figure 9 shows a portion of the screen used in the container.

Referring now to the detailed features of the preferred embodiment of our invention, as shown in the drawings; 11 represents a container, preferably constructed of metal, which may suitably be of cylindrical or prismatic form. 12 represents an opening in said container adaptedto serve as a means of ingress and egress for the items to be cleaned. This opening should preferably be relatively large in size so as to permit easy access to the interior of the container 11. In general, it will occupythe greater part of the total area of the top of container 11. 13 represents a closure cap adapted to close opening12 in a fluid-tight manner. In the form shown in the drawings, this is accomplished by means of corresponding screw threads 14 in opening 12 and closure cap13 which are adapted to force said closure cap 13 and shoulder 15 against a fluid resistant gasket 16. This structure is most readily seen in Figure 7. Closure cap 13 may be removed by means of manual pressure exerted against bar 17.

It is preferable that container 11 be divided into two portions by a substantially horizontal foraminous partition 18 which may suitably be a screen (as shown in Figure 9) or a perforate plate soldered or otherwise affixed permanently or removably within container 11. This partition should preferably be located at a distance from the bottom of container 11 of from 1/7 to 3/7 the height of container 11. It is also preferable that a drain be provided. This may suitably be located at the end of container 11 opposite the end to which closure cap 13 is applied. Furthermore, in order to provide container 11 with a flat bottom, said drain may suitably be located in a recessed portion 19 of said container 11.

' Said recessed portion is provided with an opening 20. Into this recessed portion drain cap 22 may be inserted by means of screw threads corresponding to screw threads 21. In order to provide a liquid-tight seal, a gasket 23 is inserted.

On opposite ends of container 11 means are provided for the insertion of trunnions. In the form shown, these means comprise threaded sock ets 24 soldered or otherwise aflixed to the endsof said container 11 at points opposite each other and preferably on the vertical center line of container 11 at a point near or slightly above the horizontal center line thereof. As showing in Figure 8, sockets 24 are provided with threads 25 adapted to receive corresponding threads 26 located on the ends of trunnions 27. One of said trunnions 27 is attached removably, or preferably permanently, to a crank 27a.

'When the machine is in a dismantled condition, it is contained in a shipping case 28 which comprises in its preferred form a substantially horizontal bottom portion 29, two substantially vertical end portions 30 affixed thereto and extending-upwards a distance slightly greater than the height of container 11 and two substantially vertical side portions 31, afiixed to said bottom portion 29 and said end portions 30 and extending upwards a distance substantially less than the height of said container 11. The upper ends of end portions 30 are in the preferred form cut away to form a shoulder 32 on which a cover 33 rests when the machine is in a dismantled condi-' tion. Cover 33 is removably affixed to said shipping case 28 by means of small nails or dowels 34;, Alternatively cover 33 may be removably aflixed to case 28 by means of hooks or fasteners.

As shown in Figure 5, cover 33 is also provided on its inner surface with spring clips 35 adapted to retain trunnions 27 and crank 27a when they are not in use.

The end portions 30 are furthermore provided with slots 36 located opposite each other in the upper part of end portions 30 and preferably on the vertical center line of said end portions. The

lower surface of these slots 37 is rounded in order to act as a bearing for trunnions 27 when the machine is in operating position. It will also be readily comprehended that metallic bearings may be inserted in end portions 30 in place of the structure shown.

The machine as shown in Figures 1 and 2 is in condition for shipping, trunnions 2'7 and crank 27a being carried on the inside of the cover 33 as shown in Figure 5. In this condition, the machine will normally be shipped with. container 11 full or partially full of cleaning fluid. Members 29, 30, 31 and 33 thus serve as an emcient shipping case for both the fluid and the machine itself. When it is desired to put the device into operation, the nails or dowels 34 are removed, the cover 33 is taken off, container 11 is lifted out of the shipping case 30, trunnions 27 and crank 27a are attached to sockets 24 and the container is placed in position and supported on bearings 37 by means of trunnions 27. When this has been done, the device is in condition for use as a cleaning machine. Cleaning can be accomplished by removing closure cap 13, inserting the items to be cleaned and subjecting them to a tumbling action in container 11 by rotating said container on trunnions 27 by means of crank 27a. The foraminous partition 18 allows a more thorough cleaning action since the items to be cleaned are confined above said partition and the fluid passes back andforth through them. When cleaning has been completed, the machine may be allowed to stand with container 11 in upright position, whereupon the cleaning fluid drains away from the items to be cleaned and passes through foraminous partition 18. It is then removed through opening 20 by withdrawing drain cap 22.

It will readily be comprehended that crank 27a must be rotated in such a manner as to tighten screw threads 26 against screw threads 25. It has been found that if all of these screw threads are right-hand threads, the machine may be rotated in a clockwise manner as shown in Figure 3 and the tendency will be to tighten the screw threads in both of the sockets24, rather than to loosen them.

It will furthermore be readily comprehended that side portions 31 should extend upwards as far as possible in order to give strength to the shipping case and machine, but they must not extend sufficiently high to interfere with the free rotation of container 11 through 360 when trunnions 2'7 are located in bearings 37.

Although our invention has been described by reference to specific embodiments thereof, it will be apparent that numerous modifications can be made without departing from the scope of the invention and we do not .desire to limit ourselves, except to the subject matter of the following claims.

We claim:

1. In a dry cleaning machine, a dry cleaning container comprising elongated side walls, a top member, a bottom member, said top member having alarge opening located therein, said container having a small opening located near the tainer about an axis other than the geometrical axis of said container.

2. In a combined dry cleaning machine and shipping case, a wide-mouthed container, a closure therefor, two trunnions located at opposite points on said container, a case comprising an approximately horizontal bottom portion, approximately vertical end portions spaced to re' ceive said container, said end portions extending upward to a height exceeding the height of said container, said end portions carrying, at their upper ends, oppositely disposed bearing means for said trunnions, and approximately vertical side portions extending upward to a point no nearer to said bearing means than the distance from said trunnions to that portion of said container most distant from said trunnions; and means cooperating with at least one of said trunnions whereby said container can be continuously rotated through 360 when said trunnions are supported by said bearing means, said case having interior dimensions such as to entirely receive said container when the container is detached from said bearing means and lowered therein, thereby to serve as a shipping or storage crate therefor. i

3. In a combined dry cleaning machine and shipping case, a wide-mouthed container, a closure therefor, two trunnions located at opposite points on said container, a case comprising a substantially horizontal bottom member, two vertical end members extending therefrom to a height greater than the height of said container, bearing means in said end members near the upper ends thereof adapted to'receive said trunnions and spaced fromthe said horizontal bottom member by a distance greater thanthe distance from said trunnions to the furthest extremity of said container, and means cooperating with at least one of said trunnions whereby said container can be continuously rotated through 360 when said trunnions are supported by said bearing means, said case having interior dimensions such as to entirely receive said container when the container is detached from said bearing means and lowered thereinto, ,thereby to serve as a shipping or storage crate therefor.

4. In a combined dry cleaning machine and shipping case, a wide-mouthed container,v a closure therefor, means located at opposite points on said container for receiving removable ,trunnions, two trunnions adapted to be removably received by said means, a case comprising an approximately horizontal bottom portion, approximately vertical end portions spaced to recieve said container, said end portions extending upward to a height exceeding the.height of said container, said end portions carrying, at their upper ends, oppositely disposed bearing means for said trunnions, and approximately. vertical side portions extending upward to a point no nearer to said bearing means than the distance from said first-mentioned means to that portion of said container most distant from said firstmentioned means, and means cooperating with at least one of said trunnions whereby said con tainer can be continuously rotated through 360 when said trunnions are received by said firstmentioned means and are supported by said bearing means, said case having interior dimensions such as to entirely receive said container when the container is detached from said bearing means and lowered thereinto, thereby to serve as a shipping or storage crate therefor. I

5. In a combined dry cleaning machine and shipping case, a wide-topped container, a closure therefor, means located within said container for coagitating fabrics and dry cleaning fluid, two means located at opposite points on said container above its center of gravity for receiving removable trunnions, a turnnion adapted to be removably received by one of said means, a combined trunnion and crank adapted to be removably received by the other of said means, and a case comprising an approximately horizontal bottom portion, approximately vertical end portions spacedtoreceive said container, said end portions extending upward to a height exceeding the height of said container, said end portions being slotted at their tops to form bearing means for said trunnions, approximately vertical side portions cut away so as to approach no nearer to said bearing means than the, distance from said first-mentioned means to that portion of said container most distant from said first-mentioned means, and an approximately horizontal top portion adapted to cooperate with the tops of said end portions and to encase said container within said bottom portion, said end portions, said side portions and said top portion, said case having interior dimensions such as to entirely receive said container when the container is detached from said bearing means and lowered thereinto, thereby to serve as a shipping or storage crate therefor.

ERNEST E. FOILLIN. VANDERVEER VOORHEES. 

